Marius Smith 1868-1938 Mission Floral Landscape P488

The following is from Ted Bryla, a collector of work by Marius Schmidt. Bryla credits an autobiographical fact sheet, signed by the artist and attached to one of his paintings.

Born in Kolding, Denmark 1868, Marius Schmidt showed a natural affinity for art from his mother’s family, and by the age of four was “drawing with a natural facility.” His father discouraged his artistic talents and when Marius was 12, his father sent him to live with his Uncle in the USA. His Uncle appreciated and encouraged his ability and later sent him to Denmark to study under Jorgensen of Copenhagen and Moller, with whom he studied three years.

Upon returning to America, he settled in California where he painted “for many years the wildflowers and scenery of Northern and Southern California; the redwoods, desert, and many of our beautiful missions and gardens throughout the state. . . . Among his most famous and noted paintings are ‘Capistrano Mission and Gardens’ and ‘Ramona’s Marriage Place.’ “